As August ends, a new chapter in the fashion cycle begins – autumn fashion.

This change from warm to cool weather brings with it a rich fashion palette of shades of brown, burnt orange, maroon and mustard, and classic grey and black – shades that pair perfectly with the dry, rustling leaves of autumn. It’s the perfect in-between weather: not too cold, not too hot; there’s a chill in the air but you’re not sweating your makeup off.

You start layering with shrugs, lightweight knits and embrace textures like suede, tweed and leather. And, this fall (or as they call it in the UK, autumn) doesn’t require a heavy overcoat or puffer jacket just yet. That all comes later, around November, when the cold really starts.

This is also an important time for fashion houses. The ‘autumn/winter’ collections presented at the beginning of the year are now ready for retail sale. Even fast fashion brands attract new customers with their autumn collections. For example, HM’s UK website already has some autumn staples on their homepage. Think sweater vests, trench coats and suede skirts.

But that’s all Western talk. Here in India, we don’t really experience the classic fall season; we only have three main seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. That iconic fall scene: the leaves turning brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow? We only get to see it in Bollywood movies (or in the valley of Kashmir).

Nevertheless, autumn fashion is still a major talking point here, thanks to the global influence and boundary-blurring reach of social media platforms. And of course, global fashion weeks.

For example, October is the most humid month in Mumbai. The idea of ​​embracing autumn may seem like a turn-off. So, what does autumn fashion look like in a country where there is no autumn? We asked fashion experts this question. Turns out, we can embrace it in our own different ways.

Celebrity fashion stylist Akshay Tyagi says, “Autumn is a crucial part of the fashion cycle, where runway shows present collections six months in advance, facilitating market research-based orders and timely store launches that are in line with consumer demand. Though autumn is not seen as an actual season in India, the cycle is very important for designing and producing collections.”

“Internationally (in the Northern Hemisphere), where there are four distinct seasons (summer, autumn, winter and spring), the concept of autumn makes sense. However, in India, with its vast subcontinent and varied climate, the term can seem redundant. There is no one fashion rule that applies across the country. For instance, while October starts to get cooler in North India, places like Goa and Mumbai experience the hottest, most humid weather,” says celebrity fashion stylist Divyak D’Souza.

Festive wear is our autumn fashion

Therefore, a uniform outfit for autumn across India is not practical. However, fashion experts focus on the fact that festive wear is essentially autumn fashion for us Indians. The period from September to November is the time when we get immersed in the festive fervour and celebrate everything from Ganesh Chaturthi to Navratri, Durga Puja, Diwali, Bhai Dooj and Chhath Puja.

Shweta Kapur, fashion designer and founder of label 431-88, who believes there is no distinct autumn fashion anywhere because of climate change, says, “It feels like the boundaries between seasons have really blurred now. For me, what we call autumn fashion in India is more about festive wear. Since we don’t have a distinct autumn season here, our fashion revolves around summer, winter and various festive occasions.”

D’Souza, who often styles Malaika Arora and Kareena Kapoor Khan, agrees. “In Indian culture, autumn is a time for celebration, whether it’s going from one Diwali party to another or enjoying Raksha Bandhan with family. The excitement of the season, which includes gatherings of people, beautiful clothes and memorable photos, is what makes autumn special. The importance of clothes becomes secondary to the happy atmosphere that defines this time of year,” he says.

Fashion-wise, you can easily incorporate silk into your wardrobe this season. Be it a saree, pantsuit or a simple suit, silk is a great autumn-festival piece.

“Moving from cotton to silk for Indian wear can be a smart move. Silk fabrics are not only suitable for fall, but also for various festivals this season like Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan and Diwali,” says D’Souza.

Even velvet fabrics are suitable, provided they are not too heavy.

Layering, the Ultimate Fall Behavior

Layering is a source of great joy for fashion professionals. It is one of the most exciting aspects of autumn fashion for them.

Shweta Kapoor says that she loves layering because it is fun to play with different pieces of your clothing and create a completely new look by combining them in different ways.

“You can take the same clothes and layer them in different ways to create a new style each time. The versatility of layering really allows for endless creativity and experimentation with your outfits,” she says.

“The ability to experiment with different textures, colours, and lengths makes it visually rich and creatively gratifying,” says D’Souza.

Needless to say, fall is the best time to let out your inner fashionista. Denim jackets, scarves, and lightweight jackets are a great time to start.

“Personally, I love denim jackets—they’re a great choice because they can be worn with ease,” says Kapoor.

India-Related Autumn Highlights

Technically, autumn is more relevant to the northern parts of India, but even without a traditional autumn season, there are ways to embrace autumn fashion that go beyond festive wear and denim jackets.

Adopt the color palette: Even if the weather is warm, you can bring in the autumn vibe with the colour of your outfit. You can wear a mustard t-shirt or a printed co-ord set to make a statement. Choose maroon, mustard, burnt orange and forest green shades.

Lightweight Layers: Invest in lightweight layers like denim jackets, cardigans, and scarves that can be added or removed depending on the time of day or fluctuations in temperature.

Mixed textures: Mix and match different fabrics, like cotton, silk and lightweight wool, to create a chic, layered look that doesn’t feel too heavy.

Shoes: Ankle boots and loafers are a perfect autumn fashion statement! They are a subtle nod to the colder weather without being too heavy for the Indian climate.

Autumn fashion or not, there’s one great tip from stylist D’Souza that you can never go wrong with: “Invest in key, versatile statement pieces that can be recycled, reused and worn season after season. Build a wardrobe that includes timeless, well-crafted basics that will transition beautifully over the years.”